Opting-Out of the Gmail/Google+ email crossover
/This week (Thursday 9 January 2014) Google rolled out a Gmail/google+ cross-platform function that will allow you to send email to people despite not having their email address. The trick is that Google+ has up to date contact information, and so Gmail will “helpfully” send the email for you.
Concerns have been (and should be) raised – about the project itself, and about the decision on Google’s part to create this with a default setting that allows everyone on Google+ access to the information, although users can restrict the circles of information to which this applies or opt-out entirely.
There is a quick way to opt-out:
- Open Gmail on a computer.
- Click the gear in the top right corner
- Select Settings.
- Scroll down through the General tab to the Email via Google+ section
- Click the drop-down menu and choose Anyone on Google+, Extended circles, Circles or No one.
- Click Save Changes at the bottom of the page.
